[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17083-17084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8504]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: Museum of Western 
Colorado, Grand Junction, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, Sec. 7, of 
the intent to repatriate a cultural item in the possession of the 
Museum of Western Colorado, Grand Junction, CO, that meets the 
definition of ``sacred object'' under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003, Sec. 5 
(d)(3). The determinations within this notice are the sole 
responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has

[[Page 17084]]

control of these cultural items. The National Park Service is not 
responsible for the determinations within this notice.
    The cultural item is an Apache Gahe (Crown Dancer's) mask. This 
mask is made of painted wood, hide (buckskin), feathers, cloth, and 
metal.
    The mask was purchased by Paul Pletka in New Mexico. No other 
information regarding the date or circumstances of its acquisition is 
known. Mr. Pletka donated the mask to the Museum of Western Colorado in 
1975.
     Through consultations with members of the White Mountain Apache 
Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona and the Mescalero Apache 
Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico, the mask has been 
identified as a specific ceremonial object needed by the Mescalero 
Apache Tribe's traditional Native American religious leaders for the 
practice of traditional religion. Independent research conducted by the 
museum's professional staff, including discussions with the donor, 
support this assessment.
    Officials of the Museum of Western Colorado have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001, Sec. 2 (3)(C), this cultural item is a 
specific ceremonial object needed by traditional Native American 
religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native American 
religions by their present-day adherents. Officials of the Museum of 
Western Colorado also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001, 
Sec. 2 (2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can 
be reasonably traced between the mask and the Mescalero Apache Tribe of 
the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with this sacred object should contact Judy 
Prosser-Armstrong, Curator of Archives, Librarian and Registrar, Museum 
of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 20000, Grand Junction, CO 81502-5020, 
telephone (970) 242-0971, extension 210, before May 8, 2003. 
Repatriation of this sacred object to the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the 
Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico may proceed after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    The Museum of Western Colorado is responsible for notifying the 
Apache Tribe of the Fort Cobb Reservation, Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, a 
nonfederally recognized Indian group; Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Fort 
McDowell Yavapai Nation, Arizona; Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; 
Jicarilla Apache Nation, New Mexico; Mescalero Apache Tribe of the 
Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico; San Carlos Apache Tribe of the San 
Carlos Reservation, Arizona; Tonto Apache Tribe of Arizona; White 
Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona; and 
Yavapai-Apache Nation of the Camp Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona 
that this notice has been published.

    Dated: February 7, 2003.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 03-8504 Filed 4-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S